## Nakahechi 1 | [[Nezu-oji (不寝王子)]] #trail/kumano-kodo/nakahechi ![[takijiri-oji IMG_0021.png]] ![[takijiri-oji IMG_0022.png]] ![[takijiri-oji IMG_5845.png]] > [!NOTE] Welcome to Kumano, the spiritual origin of Japan. > Kumano is the ancient name for the southern region of the Kii Peninsula--a sacred site steeped in mystery and legend. For over 1000 years pilgrims have traveled these rugged mountains in search of healing and salvation, bound for the three Grand Shrines of Kumano: [[Attractions/Kumano Hongu Taisha (熊野本宮大社)|Kumano Hongu Taisha]], Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha. The [[Nakahechi (中辺路)|Nakahechi route]] is the main trail of the [[Kumano Kodo (熊野古道)|Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route network]], and Takijiri-oji marks the entrance into this divine realm. ![[? takijiri-oji IMG_5846.png]] ![[? takijiri-oji IMG_5848.png]] > [!NOTE] UNESCO World Heritage • Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range • Kumano Pilgrimage Routes (Nakahechi) > "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Ki Mountain Range" is inscribed on the World Heritage List based on the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in July, 2004. The objective of the Convention is to protect and conserve the monuments, sites, and buildings of outstanding universal value as well as precious natural environments and to transmit them as the world heritage of mankind as a whole to future generations. > > "The Kumano Sankeimichi Nakahechi" is the Pilgrimage Route which has been the most well-known since people in the Capital started visiting during the Heian Era (794-1191). The [[Nakahechi (中辺路)|Nakahechi Route]] starts from [[Tanabe (田辺市)|Tanabe]] on the West Coast of the Kii Peninsula and cuts across to the East toward Hongu, Shingu and Nachi. On the way to the Kumano Sanzan, people frequently visit the remains of Ojis which are periodically scattered along this sacred path. These Ojis are dedicated to the Kumano deities of child gods. Starting at the Takijiri Oji there are extremely steep mountain roads leading to the "Sacred Place," along which many holy Buddhist and Shinto ceremonies are held. > > The Sankeimichi is the "Road of Prayer" which leads to the mountains where both The Buddha and Shinto gods abide. People of both religions walk along this holy path praying to their gods and performing various religious customs. Surrounding the Sankeimichi, there is a buffer zone dedicated to protecting the nature and cultural scenery so integral to both these religions. ![[takijiri-oji IMG_5850.png]] ![[? takijiri-oji IMG_5855.png]] ![[takijiri-oji IMG_5857.png]] ![[takijiri-oji IMG_5853.png]] ![[takijiri-oji IMG_5859.png]] ![[takijiri-oji IMG_5861.png]] > [!NOTE] Tainai Kuguri Test of Faith > Since the route was diverted to Shiomi Peak in the 16th century, the faithful on pilgrimage to [[Attractions/Kumano Hongu Taisha (熊野本宮大社)|Kumano]] stopped climbing Mt. Tsurugi-no-yama. However,locals have kept coming to Takijiri-oji Shrine every spring and autumn, climbing the mountain path with bamboo walking sticks in hand and descending into this cave to pray to a turtle shaped monolith. Hiking through the cave is known as tainai kuguri, litarally meaning "passing through the womb". This is considered a test of faith. Superstition has it that women who make the journey through the cave will have smooth delivery. > > Wakayama Prefecture ![[takijiri-oji IMG_5874.png]] > [!NOTE] Chichi-iwa Rock > Legend has it that long ago when Hidehira Fujiwara, a member of the powerful Fujiwara clan from Oshu, and his wife were on [[Kumano Kodo (熊野古道)|pilgrimage]] to [[Attractions/Kumano Hongu Taisha (熊野本宮大社)|Kumano]], his wife suddenly went into labor and gave birth to a child in this cave. They left the child here and continued on their pilgrimage. A wolf came and saved the child by dripping milk down the rock. The parents then, on their return journey, gathered the child and went home. The child was Fujiwara's third son and went on to become Saburotadahira Izumi. Hence the name Chjichi-iwa, literally meaning "milk rock"